The National Cotton Council (NCC) applauded President Donald Trump’s Tuesday issuance of a National Agriculture Day proclamation that stated, “America's farmers and ranchers help feed the world, fuel our Nation's economy, and lead global markets in output and productivity.”

In his proclamation of March 21 as National Agriculture Day, the President said the efficiency of American agriculture has provided this country with abundance our ancestors could not have imagined. He encouraged all Americans to observe this day by: 1) recognizing the preeminent role that agriculture plays in Americans' daily life, 2) acknowledging agriculture's continuing importance to the nation’s economy, and 3) expressing deep appreciation of this country’s farmers and ranchers.

NCC Chairman Ronnie Lee said, “the U.S. cotton industry is heartened by today’s proclamation because it signals how much the (Trump) administration values America’s farmers and ranchers and their contributions to the nation’s economy.”

Lee, a Bronwood, Ga., cotton producer, said farms and businesses directly involved in the production, distribution and processing of cotton employ more than 125,000 workers and produce direct business revenue of more than $27 billion. Accounting for the ripple effect through the broader U.S. economy, total economic activity attributed to cotton is in excess of $75 billion.

The NCC’s mission is ensuring the ability of all industry segments to compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseed and U.S.-manufactured product markets at home and abroad.